Chief Development Officer

About Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Kemper Museum is a leading presenter of contemporary art and ideas in Kansas City, Missouri.

Named for Charlotte Crosby Kemper, an avid collector, arts advocate, and former director of the Kansas City Art Institute, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 1994 and was founded by the late R. Crosby Kemper Jr. and Bebe Kemper (now Bebe Hunt). It was the first museum established to collect and present contemporary art in the state of Missouri. The Kemper has a notable permanent collection of modern and contemporary art with a strong emphasis on American postwar art, including significant works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Louise Bourgeois, and Fairfield Porter. The building itself, designed by architect Gunnar Birkerts, is a modern architectural gem. Its unique triangular shape, with reflective metal and glass surfaces, creates an inviting space designed to complement the art it houses.

Kemper Museum believes the art of our time is essential and has consistently sought to spotlight living artists at crucial moments in their careers, often just as they are emerging onto national or international acclaim. The Kemper has been crucial to the careers of artists, giving emerging artists their first show and in many cases developing ambitious survey exhibitions of artists who have been historically underrepresented. Contemporary artists engage today’s most relevant issues with creativity, nuance, and imagination in ways that spark inspiration, challenge assumptions, prompt dialogue, and bring deeper meaning to our lives.

The Kemper is committing to being a barrier-free museum, with free public access and free public programs. As a cultural resource where people from all backgrounds come together in a public space, Kemper Museum values an accessible and inclusive environment that fosters meaningful engagement with contemporary art and a sense of belonging for all. As a contemporary art museum dedicated to supporting visionary artists, Kemper Museum values a forward-looking mindset and a spirit of experimentation.

Position Summary

The Kemper Museum seeks an ambitious and innovative Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join its leadership team during an exciting period of opportunity and transformation. The Kemper’s next fundraising leader will create and implement a comprehensive multi-year fundraising program that will significantly increase revenue, grow and deepen the Museum’s donor base, coordinate high-end stewardship while cultivating new revenue markets, motivate the efforts of the Development team, and inspire a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and among its stakeholders. The CDO will be an energetic, experienced, and enterprising leader who is deeply passionate about the vision and mission of the Midwest’s premier contemporary art museum and an advocate for the communities it serves.

Reporting to Executive Director, Jessica May, the CDO will join a vibrant institution with aspirations to expand its offerings, enlarge its audience, and grow strategically to ensure it remains relevant to and reflective of a flourishing, ever-changing, and diverse community. A key member of the Kemper’s leadership team, the CDO will come to the organization at a transformative moment as it sets out to create and launch a new strategic plan. The CDO will therefore be a creative advocate, persuasively communicating fundraising’s role in organizational growth and community-building. An expert in development best practices and a thought leader in the rapidly changing fundraising field, the CDO will understand how to communicate the social impact of the Museum and its program with potential donors and stakeholders.

The CDO will be a skilled fundraiser who can coordinate membership, annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate giving, endowment growth, gift processing, data management, and special events. Energized by community engagement, the CDO will partner with the Executive Director to serve as a passionate, visible, and informed advocate for the Kemper, creating meaningful connections with donors and members, inspiring deepening levels of commitment, and inclusively engaging potential supporters. An influencer, convener, and consensus builder, the CDO will possess the cultural competence to build authentic relationships with diverse community members, helping existing and potential donors understand how their support increases access to art while achieving cross-cultural engagement among community members.

Primary Responsibilities

Create and Implement a Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes identifying and cultivating individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects.
• Lead and manage all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, special events, and grant writing.
• Develop and implement a marketing strategy to support fundraising efforts, including creating collateral materials, social media content, and other communications to promote the organization’s mission, programs, and services.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and community leaders.

Drive Awareness and Advocacy of the Organizational Mission, Need, and Deliverables to Expand Mission Impact and Organizational Growth

• Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of the organization’s mission, programs, and services to increase its visibility and support.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage and mobilize supporters to advocate for the organization’s mission and its impact on the community.
• Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and other public forums to enhance the organization’s visibility and influence.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including potential donors, community leaders, and elected officials, to advance the organization’s mission and goals.

Build the Infrastructure and Team to Carry Out a Well-Crafted Donor-Centered Development Plan

• Develop and maintain effective systems and processes to support fundraising and development operations, including gift processing, database management, and reporting.
• Develop and implement a fundraising plan that includes clear goals, metrics, and timelines for achieving fundraising targets. Build and manage a budget for the development team that is aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities and goals.
• Identify and implement technology solutions to support fundraising and development operations and to enhance donor engagement and stewardship.

Executive Leadership Team Leadership, Planning and Strategy

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, working collaboratively with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to develop and implement the organization’s strategic plan and vision.
• Provide leadership and direction to the development team and other departments as needed to ensure alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Lead the annual planning and budgeting process for the development department, ensuring that goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Provide regular updates to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees on fundraising progress and challenges and make recommendations for course correction as needed.
• Represent the organization in public forums and develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and peer organizations, to advance the organization’s mission and goals.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated passion for the organization’s mission and fundraising, with a deep understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of the nonprofit sector.
• Proven experience building a major gift program and securing funding from a variety of sources, including individual major donors, corporations, and foundations as well as State and Federal Grants, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with prior experience in public speaking and external relations, and the ability to represent the organization to a variety of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Prior experience creating strategic multiyear fundraising plans and building consensus among stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated success in staff management and mentorship, with a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and development.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, and a master’s degree or other advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Previous museum experience is not a necessity, but the ability to articulate an authentic passion for art and a deep appreciation for the community-creating power of the arts is a must.